Directors of Development : Influences on the Development of Children's Thinking

Generally speaking, books on cognitive development either focus on internal mechanisms without giving much attention or credence to the external world, or emphasize a contextual approach without considering genetic and other biological factors.

This unique volume considers influences from within and from outside the child and seeks to address how these influences interact -- both with the child and with each other -- to direct the development of children's thinking.

The chapters include research on biological factors, on family and cultural influences, and on specific intervention programs that affect this development.

Top researchers present a diversity of views in their up-to-date syntheses of recent anthropological, educational, medical, psychological, and sociological findings.